Rebecca Elected as Hort Co-Op Representative

Congratulations to Rebecca Eisele–our landscape designer–on being elected as the Horticultural Co-Op Representative for the Landscape and Nursery Association of Greater St. Louis (LNAGSL)!

I (Rachel, Marketing Manager) had the pleasure of interviewing Rebecca on this milestone.  Interview follows:

Rachel: Can you tell me a little about the Landscape and Nursery Association of Greater St. Louis (LNAGSL)?

Rebecca: The LNAGSL is an organization of Landscape Designers, Landscape Contractors, Landscape Managers, Retail and Wholesale Nurseries, Arborists, etc. The LNAGSL organizes monthly educational meetings/events to benefit these various member businesses. LNAGSL also offers one scholarship each year.  You can find more info about them at www.stlouislandscape.org.

Rachel: What is the Hort Co-Op?

Rebecca: The Hort Co-Op is an umbrella organization that presides over LNAGSL, Gateway Professional Horticulturist Association, Greater Saint Louis Flower Growers Association, and the Saint Louis Arborists Association. The main goal of the Hort Co-Op is to organize education programs to benefit all of the member associations. This means that all of the member associations have representatives that relay information between the two boards – letting Hort Co-Op know what events the member associations have planned and coordinating the Hort Co-Op educational events accordingly. The Hort Co-Op also acts as a clearinghouse for information distribution for the member organizations, offers two scholarships a year, and hosts a job postings board.  Their website is www.hortco-op.org.

Rachel: How does the election process work and what were some of your qualifications?

Rebecca: I was nominated by a member of the existing LNAGSL board and then the general membership votes in the actual board members. I believe [one is qualified by] generally showing leadership within the industry through involvement. While in Illinois and involved with the Illinois Landscape Contractors Association (ILCA), I was part of their leadership council and founded a Women’s Networking Group within the ILCA. I was also a member of Kishwaukee College’s Horticulture Department Advisory Board. Thus, LNAGSL’s board knew I was no stranger to committees, board meetings, and event organization.

Rachel: What is the scope of your duties as a representative?

Rebecca: The Hort Co-Op representative is basically the entry level board position and is a two-year position from July 2015-June 2017. My duties involve attending both LNAGSL and Hort Co-Op board meetings to represent both entities to their respective boards. I am also on LNAGSL’s education committee which reviews and selects scholarship recipients and helps organize educational events.

Rachel: I noticed that LNAGSL already has you up on their board and staff page!  Thanks for sharing about your position and congrats again, Rebecca.